Study abroad in Tunisia: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not apply there. A social security agreement covers health insurance, but benefits in kind on site are limited. German citizens need no visa for tourist, private and business stays of up to 120 days, and the Federal Foreign Office states no rule for study. The DAAD lists 800 euros a month as a guideline for living costs.
Study abroad in Tunisia at a glance
| Point | Information (status October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The EHIC does not apply. The social security agreement covers health insurance, with benefits in kind only when they are needed immediately | DVKA, European Commission |
| Visa | No visa for tourist, private and business stays up to 120 days. The office gives no rule for study | Federal Foreign Office |
| Tuition fees | No verified amount. They depend on the exchange agreement of your home university | Host university |
| Living costs | 800 euros per month as a DAAD guideline rate (list without date) | DAAD, scholarship rates |
| Study grant abroad (Auslands-BAföG) | Possible. Responsible office according to the DSW assignment: Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg | Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW), leaflet January 2026 |
All information is general and not individual advice. The official pages linked here are authoritative.
How is health insurance arranged in Tunisia?
European Health Insurance Card and social security agreement
Tunisia is not part of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland. The EHIC therefore does not apply there. According to the European Commission, the card covers the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Germany and Tunisia have a social security agreement, which according to the German Liaison Office for Health Insurance Abroad (DVKA) covers health insurance. It was signed on 16 April 1984 and entered into force on 1 August 1986. During a temporary stay in Tunisia, you receive benefits in kind only if you need them immediately because of your condition. The rules of the place of stay then apply to these benefits, except for the duration of benefits and the circle of family members. Aids such as prostheses are only provided with the consent of the competent institution, except in cases of absolute urgency. Ask your health insurer in writing how this applies to you.
The guide on health insurance during a study abroad semester explains the basics: Health insurance during a study abroad semester (in German).
According to the Federal Foreign Office, no vaccinations are compulsory for direct entry from Germany. It recommends standard vaccinations according to the vaccination calendar, especially against measles, and vaccination against hepatitis A. For long stays or particular exposure, it also names rabies.
Private travel health insurance and repatriation
The Federal Foreign Office advises taking out travel health insurance for the whole stay. Check whether the policy covers repatriation and treatment that can wait until your return. Background is in our guide travel health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and work and travel (in German). Privately insured students will find the basics in our guide PKV for students in non-EU countries (in German).
Do you need a visa for Tunisia?
For tourist, private and business stays of up to 120 days, German citizens need no visa, according to the Federal Foreign Office. Passport and children’s passport are accepted. A provisional passport is accepted with restrictions. Entry with an identity card, including a provisional one, is not possible.
Whether and which visa you need for study in Tunisia is decided by the authorities of the country. We do not repeat a rule of our own, because we have not found an official statement that covers study. The Federal Foreign Office names no rule for study or longer stays. The travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office for Tunisia (in German) lists the entry rules for German citizens.
Keep these documents ready for entry:
- Passport or children’s passport, not an identity card
- Proof of travel health insurance for the duration of your stay
- Proof of the vaccinations the Federal Foreign Office recommends and of your insurance cover
According to the Federal Foreign Office, there is no travel warning for the whole country (page status 25 October 2026). Travel is advised against in the area south or south-east of a line from the Algerian border via Tozeur and Nafta, Douz, Ksar Ghilane and Tataouine to Zarzis. It is also advised against in the Algerian border area from Ain Draham to Kasserine, including the mountain regions of Jebel Chaambi, Jebel Selloum and Jebel Mghila, and against unguided desert tours. The office reports an increased risk of terrorist attacks, including at tourist sites, and an increased risk of kidnapping in the south. The region around Ben Guerdane is considered particularly tense.
What does a study abroad semester in Tunisia cost?
Tuition fees
Which fees your host university charges depends on the exchange agreement with your home university. We do not name a general amount, because we have no official figure that we could verify. Ask both your home university and the host university before you accept a place.
Living costs
The DAAD scholarship rates list a monthly rate of 800 euros for students in Tunisia. This is a guideline, not a budget. The list carries no date. We have not found a verified figure for accommodation and food on site, so ask your host university for its budget for exchange students.
Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG
The Erasmus+ programme guide of the European Commission lists Tunisia among the partner countries of region 3 (South-Mediterranean countries). These countries take part in certain measures only under specific criteria. Whether your exchange runs under Erasmus+ and what funding you receive is decided by your university. More in our guide Erasmus and planning a study abroad semester (in German).
Study grant abroad (Auslands-BAföG) is possible for part of a degree abroad. For Tunisia, the Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW) assigns the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg, Office for Training Support, according to its leaflet of January 2026. Outside the EU, the BAföG foreign supplement regulation allows a supplement if purchasing power abroad is lower. The Federal Foreign Office sets the percentage, and the regulation names no euro amount. Details are in our guide Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German).
Worked example: For a stay of five months at the DAAD guideline of 800 euros a month, living costs come to 4,000 euros. Flights, travel health insurance, tuition fees of the host university and the semester fee of your home university are not included, because we have no verified amounts for them. The total is a guide, not a promise.
How to prepare before you leave
- Ask your health insurer in writing which services apply in Tunisia before you sign the learning agreement.
- Ask your health insurer which documents it needs from you for treatment in Tunisia.
- Take out travel health insurance and check whether it covers repatriation and treatment that can wait.
- Ask your host university whether you need a visa for study. The Federal Foreign Office gives no rule for study.
- Travel with a passport or children’s passport, not with an identity card.
- Check standard vaccinations and hepatitis A with your doctor.
- If you want Auslands-BAföG, apply to the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg about six months before departure.
- Read the travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office shortly before you leave and watch for changes.
Frequently asked questions
Does my European Health Insurance Card work in Tunisia?
No. According to the European Commission, the card applies in the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For Tunisia, the social security agreement covers health insurance with limited benefits in kind, so ask your health insurer to confirm your cover.
Do I need a visa for Tunisia?
Not for tourist, private and business stays of up to 120 days, according to the Federal Foreign Office. For study, the office gives no rule.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in Tunisia?
That depends on the exchange agreement of your home university. We do not name an amount, because we have no verified figure. Ask your university before you accept the place.
What does living cost in Tunisia?
The DAAD scholarship rates list 800 euros a month for students in Tunisia as a guideline. It is not a budget, and the list carries no date. Ask your host university for its figures for exchange students.
Is there a travel warning for Tunisia?
No warning covers the whole country, according to the Federal Foreign Office. Travel is advised against for specific regions, above all in the south and in the border area with Algeria.
Who is responsible for Auslands-BAföG for Tunisia?
According to the DSW assignment, the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg, Office for Training Support. The leaflet is dated January 2026.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office, Tunisia: travel and security advice (page status 25 October 2026)
- DVKA, social security agreement Tunisia (signed 16 April 1984)
- European Commission, FAQ on the European Health Insurance Card (no date)
- DAAD, scholarship rates for students and graduates (no date)
- European Commission, Erasmus+ Programme Guide Part A, eligible countries (no date)
- Deutsches Studierendenwerk, leaflet Auslands-BAföG (status January 2026)
- BAföG foreign supplement regulation, gesetze-im-internet.de (no date)
Sources retrieved on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
Related articles
- Health insurance during a study abroad semester (in German)
- Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German)
- Study abroad in Italy (in German)
- Study abroad in Morocco (in German)
- All countries for your study abroad semester (in German)
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
